Prospective Graduate Applicants

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I accept applications from prospective graduate students in most years. If you think you would like to pursue a PhD under my mentorship, here are a few bits of advice:

In addition to reading through this website, also read some of my publications to determine if my research questions and methods align with your interests. You can access them via ResearchGate, Sci-Hub, and the UC repository.

Send me an email (mbrown at anth dot ucsb dot edu) to introduce yourself. In a few sentences, tell me about your research interests and qualifications, and attach an updated copy of your CV or resume. I will respond within a few working days. If you seem like a good fit, we can arrange to talk over Zoom.

A successful application to the graduate program in the UCSB Dept of Anthropology consists of several elements, described on this page. The following are a few additional pieces of advice.

=> Letters of recommendation: these should mostly come from professors or research mentors, but one from a non-academic employer is acceptable.

=> Essays: the Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages, single spaced) should explain the "what" and the Statement of Personal Achievements/Contributions (2-3 pages, single spaced) should explain the "why" of your decision to pursue a PhD and a career in research.

For  instance, in the SoP you can explain a bit about the goals  and results of your previous research (if any), and what sort of research you  would like to do in future for your dissertation. You should explain that you want to work with me, why my research and this department is a  good match for your interests. 

In the  SoPA/C, you should explain how your previous experiences  (maybe through research) shaped your outlook and your desire to pursue a  PhD, and *why* you want to pursue a research-oriented career. If applicable, you  should describe in this essay how you have overcome obstacles or how your identity contributes to diversity. 

Notes: 

(1) the GRE is no longer required

(2) application fee waivers are available 

We offer a few competitive fellowships every year for incoming students. However, I *strongly* recommend that students apply for external fellowships to help fund their graduate studies. These funds either pay more than a UC stipend or can be used to supplement it, which is very helpful in an expensive place like Santa Barbara. These fellowships also allow students to concentrate on their research, rather than diverting valuable research time to TA-ships. I am happy to provide advice on how to construct a competitive application. Some good options:

=> NSF GRFP for US students

=> Ford Foundation Predoctoral fellowship for US students belonging to racial groups that are under-represented in STEM disciplines

=> Fulbright Foreign Student Program

=> UC MEXUS for Mexican students